Muay Thai for women is in high demand with millions of female practitioners of all ages and fitness levels joining the classes worldwide to enjoy many of its benefits.
Are you considering signing up too?
In this article, we delve into the key benefits of Muay Thai for women, and why you should not hesitate to start training. You will discover the key physical and mental benefits of Muay Thai training, and how it will positively impact your life.
What Women Should Know Before Enrolling in Muay Thai?
Before enrolling in Muay Thai, women should understand that it’s a dynamic and physically demanding martial art. It is completely different from any other conventional cardio or strength workout.
- Research reputable gyms with experienced instructors who prioritize safety. Ensure the gym environment is clean and supportive, and has an amateur training group. In most schools, women and men train together.
- Do not let the stereotypes overwhelm you. Attend a trial class and give it a try. Most women get discouraged by fake stories and stereotypes so don’t be one of them.
- Recognize that progress takes time, and consistency is key. Embrace the mental and physical challenges, and communicate openly with trainers about individual goals and any health concerns.
- Invest in proper gear, including gloves, hand wraps, and shin guards for protection, and regular sportswear made out of breathable materials.
Let’s dive into the benefits of Muay Thai for women, and how it will change your life for the better.
What are the benefits of Muay Thai For Women?
Following is a list of key physical and mental benefits of Muay Thai for women, and reasons why this combat sport is so popular among females.
Helps you lose weight FAST
Thai boxing puts a lot of emphasis on cardio and endurance and each school includes a lot of gruelling and intense aerobic and anaerobic workouts. Running miles of sprints and doing intense bag work will bring your mind and body close to the breaking point. But at the same time, this approach is excellent for burning calories and losing weight.
Studies suggest that Muay Thai burns between 700–1000 calories per workout, which is a lot.
If you combine this with the right Muay Thai food and healthy eating habits, you may expect to get in top shape in a very short period. Just a few months of disciplined life and consistent training is enough to get in top shape.
Improves Sleep Quality
Quality sleep is the single most important thing in our lives. It helps our bodies and minds recover, re-energise, and determine our mood during the day. And the good news is, intense workouts like Muay Thai are linked to better sleep quality.
First, training enables you to release a large portion of accumulated stress. So instead of feeling anxious and nervous before sleep, overthinking, and worrying, you will be more relaxed. Second, your entire body will feel tired which further contributes to you falling asleep faster and sleeping stronger.
Quality sleep is crucial for overall health, immune function, and cognitive performance, contributing to a healthier and longer life.
Gives the body nice muscle tone
Muay Thai’s training regimens include targeted exercises that develop physical strength. It is considered a full-body workout that engages all the muscle groups in your body and evenly improves upper and lower body strength and agility, which is excellent for women looking to improve fitness.
Further, the dynamic nature of workouts improves cardiovascular endurance stamina, and overall health. Sessions are designed to keep you busy the entire time with very few breaks between exercises, which keeps your heart rate elevated.
This not only enhances the ability to endure rigorous training sessions but also promotes better cardiovascular health as it makes your heart stronger and blood pressure lower.
Makes you more confident
Just about every woman in Muay Thai agrees that training is a transformative journey. The mastery of difficult techniques, bringing your body into the required fitness shape, and overcoming all the obstacles contribute to higher confidence and self-esteem.
On one side, training is physically demanding. But on the other, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and over the limits is how we progress in life and grow. Overcoming all the challenges inside the gym gives you confidence to confront all the obstacles outside the gym using the same approach, and make your life better.
Also, seeing your fitness and self-defense skills improve makes you feel good in your skin, which massively improves confidence.
Teaches practical self-defense skills
Muay Thai is a highly effective combat system. It teaches women how to strike with all limbs, which includes punches, kicks, knees, elbows, fighting in the clinch, and limited standup grappling. These techniques emphasize practicality and efficiency, offering valuable tools for personal safety.
Most importantly, training focuses on the practical application of techniques. Through sparring, women develop proper instincts, reflexes, and awareness needed for real combat. So once in a self-defense situation, this enables you to react swiftly and effectively to potential threats. Clinch work, in particular, is very practical for close-range combat, especially for women.
This heightened state of alertness becomes a valuable asset in navigating everyday situations with confidence.
Improves Discipline and Focus
Muay Thai training is as much about mental discipline as it is about physical prowess. The sport demands focus, concentration, and a strong mindset to master its techniques and strategies. Though challenging, the rewards are high.
Women practicing Muay Thai develop mental discipline, enhancing their ability to concentrate during training sessions. It makes you forget about life outside the gym for 60–90 minutes, mobile phone, notifications, e-mails, and forces you to focus on one thing only.
The discipline and focus honed in the gym translate into improved decision-making and increased productivity.
More fun than a regular gym workout
Most women find Muay Thai training to be dynamic and playful. More fun than conventional gym workouts that quickly become monotone. Each session includes different elements such as cardio and strength workouts, skill-specific drills, sparring, and live drills that keep your mind engaged.
Varied training routines prevent monotony, keeping women motivated and eager to participate. In some way, each session brings in new challenges and opportunities to grow. Beyond the sheer physical benefits, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, making each session not only about exercise but also about personal growth.
Builds strong friendships
Training sessions are organized in groups of between 10 and 20 women. This is good because training together creates a shared experience, building a sense of unity and mutual support. In fact, many women form a unique bond and become good friends outside the gym too.
In some way, each group is one big family where women encourage and motivate each other in their journeys in a positive and judgment-free atmosphere. This camaraderie extends beyond the training space, creating a network of like-minded individuals who share a passion for both the sport and personal growth.
Helps you manage daily stress
Muay Thai emerges not just as a physical pursuit but as a powerful ally in stress relief and mental well-being. From work, and taking care of the kids to preparing the meals, modern women face multiple challenges daily and the biggest danger of this lifestyle is the accumulated stress.
Thai boxing is a great stress reliever because it enables you to get rid of stress through hard workouts and exhausting — the most healthy way. While working hard, our minds release chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, hormones responsible for making us feel happy and relaxed, which will instantly improve our mood.
No matter how mad or stressed you were before the workout, you will feel calm afterwards.
Improves longevity
Muay Thai contributes to improved longevity. First, it has numerous physical benefits as training improves your cardiovascular health, muscle strength, range of motion and joint health, and bone density, and helps you manage weight through intense workouts.
Second, it enables you to get rid of a large portion of everyday stress, which along with social engagement promotes better mental health in the long run. All of this will make you feel young again, and slow down the ageing process, or at least support you in dealing with it better.
How To Find Legitimate Muay Thai School For Women
Here are some tips in bullet point format on how a woman can find a reputable Muay Thai school:
- Research Online — look for Muay Thai schools in your local area through online searches. Check websites and social media pages for information on classes, instructors, and facilities.
- Read Reviews and ask for recommendations — read reviews from current and former students to get insights into the quality of training and the overall atmosphere. Seek recommendations from friends, colleagues, or local fitness communities who have experience with Muay Thai.
- Instructor Credentials — ensure the instructors are qualified, certified, and have relevant experience in Muay Thai. Ask about the class structure and curriculum, and whether they cater specifically to beginners, intermediates, or all levels.
- Attend a Trial Class — many reputable schools offer trial classes. Take advantage of these to assess the teaching style and whether it suits your preferences. Check the hygiene in the gym, protective gear, atmosphere, etc.
- Verify Affiliations — check if the school is affiliated with recognized Muay Thai organizations or associations, which can indicate credibility.
- Cost and Contracts — understand the cost structure, including membership fees and any additional expenses. Be wary of long-term contracts without flexibility.
- Talk to Current Students — approach current students and ask about their experiences, progression, and satisfaction with the training.
- Check Class Schedule — ensure that the class schedule aligns with your availability and commitments.
How Long Does it Take To Learn Muay Thai?
